ITT: We are all Pokémon Trainers

-Hundreds of casteliacones litter the floor.-

edited 9th Nov '17 9:19:35 AM by redneckphoenix

Gabrielle, Aurora, and Michael: "...>

Aurora: <That seems unhealthy.>

Michael: <This guy wreaked havoc?>

Gabrielle: "Yes..."

-She turns to Admin D.-

Gabrielle: "Can you handle this from here, sir?"

"...No. Instruct your Gardevoir to psychically restrain him."

DRAMATIC PAN TO ALOLA. IT'S 10:00 AM, THE SUN IS SHINING, BIRDS ARE SINGING, AND HERE WE CAN SEE TWO HOO-MINS IN A COMPLEX RITUAL.

Phaz: "THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING HERE C.C. ?"

C.C.: "GIVE ME A BREAK COS I DESERVE ONE!"

DRAMATIC CUTOUT TO TWO PEOPLES BUT LATER

Phaz: "WHY WOULD YOU GET TO SLEEP WITH ME? I HAVE A BOYFRIEND!!!"

CC: "BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA SPEND MY MONEY AND YOU OWE ME A BUTTLOAD OF"

Phaz: "YOU ARE TEARING ME APART C.C. !"

THUNDER! A MESSAGE FROM SOMEWHERE!

Phaz: "Oh hey I won something."

C.C.: "Muh money"

Phaz: "What you wanna get it?"

C.C.: "Muh money"

Phaz: "It's a trip to lands where apparently there's ruins'n'stuff."

C.C.: "I'm taking it."

ARCEUS! ANOTHER MESSAGE!

C.C.: "Oh hey I won a trip"

Phaz: "Where to"

C.C.: "A place called Hyrule but misspelled so it's not Hyrule"

Phaz: "Relatable"

DRAMATIC SUSPENCE!

Phaz: "I like my pizza with mushrooms."

WHAT WILL HAPPEN NEXT THO

Cynthia: ~Why are you doing this Volta~

Volta: <I HAVE NO IDEAS!>

YOU'LL KNOW NEXT TIME!

PEFE Medical Facility

On a remote island, inside a complex not listed on any maps, a skinny young man sits waiting in a hospital corridor. Between his hairless chin and his short stature, he hardly looks a day older than twenty - but being what he is, he never will. He is continually bouncing a Pokeball against the opposite wall, with the Alakazam it belongs to resting next to it, when a man in a lab coat emerges from the nearest lab.

Doctor: ...He's awake right now, just so you know. We've given him his medication for the evening, made sure he's not in any discomfort.

Lucius: Right.

The doctor hovers there for a moment more, then walks away. Midway down the corridor, he stops, and turns back to Lucius.

Doctor: If there is anything you want to say to him... I'd say it now.

He keeps walking. Lucius keeps bouncing the ball against the wall for a few more moments, then catches it for the last time and sighs. The Alakazam by his side looks over at him.

Lucius: ...Gimme a moment, alright?

Maul: ~You can't put this off any longer.~

Lucius: No, I... I know. I just needed some time to think.

He stands up, takes a deep breath, then shoulders open the door opposite him. Inside is a man who looks much older than his fifty-some years - he is emaciated, his porcelain-pale skin clinging to his thin skeleton, and what little grey hair he has is falling out in clumps. An Infernape in a wheelchair sits by his side, turning to face Lucius as he enters.

Omega: <Ah... you're here.>

Lawrence: Elizabeth? Is that you?

Lucius: No, Ti- no, it's just me. Elizabeth... she isn't here anymore.

Lawrence: Oh. I... I was hoping to tell her... no, never mind. She's gone, as you say.

He turns to look over at his son.

Lawrence: What happened to me, Lucius? I spent years honing my mind and body to perfection... but here, at the end, they both fail me. I am as frail in death as any other man.

Lucius: Hey, none of the doctors thought you'd make this far. There's still-

Lawrence: No. I... I can feel myself fading, as I have been for so long. How many people have I killed, Lucius? How many?

Lucius frowns, and remains silent.

Lawrence: I used to be able to remember all their faces so clearly... and every time, I thought I had a reason. Yet now, if you asked me why, I couldn't say. I... I can't say. Why? Why did I choose this path? Why did I drive them all away?

Omega's brow furrows with concern.

Omega: <Lawrence...>

Lawrence: ...The journal. The journal knows. Give it to him... so he might remember.

Lucius: Journal? What journal?

Omega takes a thick tome from the table beside Lawrence and hands it to Lucius.

Lawrence: There is... so much more I want to say. But time fails me, as does my mind. So I wrote... I wrote about my journey, my experiences, anything I thought could guide you. I put it all to paper... so I would have time for words now. I'm proud of you, Lucius. Proud of... the man you've become. Proud of all you've done. Proud... proud that you were better than me.

Lucius looks away.

Lucius: ...Look, I can see what you're trying to do here, but it's not-

Lawrence: Please, son. I... I know it's too late. I can't fix anything. Not now. I passed that point long before you or anyone else could have dragged me back. But... I'm sorry. About you, about Crewe, about Crow... about everyone I hurt. I'm sorry I wasn't a better father.

He puts a bony, trembling hand on top of Lucius's.

Lawrence: I need to know, Lucius... can you forgive me?

edited 9th Nov '17 11:55:22 AM by Herbert40k

"No, actually we're gonna destroy them."

D is in his office, once again reviewing files.

"Hrmmm....hrmmmm....hmmmmph?"

He turns on the intercom.

"Grunt Every to Admin D's office immediately."

PEFE Medical Facility

Lucius is sitting in the corridor again, eyes fixed on the opposite wall. The doctor emerges from Lawrence's room and shakes his head sadly.

Doctor: ...I'm sorry. We did everything we could, but... There was no pain. Not at the end.

Lucius: ...Okay.

The doctor hovers for a moment.

Doctor: I understand this can't be easy for you. If you need some time to yourself, we can-

Lucius: No, I... I was gonna head outside anyway. Get some air.

Doctor: ...Alright. Just let us know if you need anything.

Lucius stands up and starts heading outside. He keeps walking until he comes to a cluster of rocks overlooking the ocean, then sits down and rests his head in his hands. After a while, a Scizor comes up behind and rests a claw on his shoulder.

Bishop: <How are you holding up?>

Lucius: I'm fine, Bishop. Honestly. I just...

He sighs.

Lucius: ...I mean, I knew the day was coming. I just don't think the reality of it ever set in... that one day I'd have to bury my dad.

Bishop: <...Ah.>

A long pause follows,

Lucius: Y'know, that was a very pointed "ah", Bishop.

Bishop: <I'm sorry. I merely wished to observe... you never called him that when he was alive.>

Lucius: ...No. No, I didn't.

He sighs.

Lucius: How does that quote go again? A life of conflict, with no time for friends... so that when it's done, only our enemies leave roses.

Bishop: <You weren't his enemy. You were family.>

Lucius: Was there ever any difference?

Bishop: <...He asked you to forgive him. And you said->

Lucius: I know what I said, Bishop. I... I...

Tears start streaming down his face.

Lucius: ...I had so much more to say...

Bishop: <I know. And so did he.>

He wraps his arms around his trainer, and for a long time the only sound is Lucius crying into Bishop's shoulder. Eventually, Lucius pulls away, rubbing his eyes with the sleeve of his sweater.

Lucius: ...Guess I'm gonna have to call Mom at some point, aren't I?

Bishop: <That is a burden I would suggest you could do without tonight. There are, however, others who should be informed of the news.>

Lucius blinks.

Lucius: ...Really? I haven't spoken to anyone from the team for literal years. Well, a year, anyway.

Bishop: <Still, they deserve to know.>

Lucius: Alright...

He pulls out his phone and types a quick text.

After looking at the message for a moment, he makes a single edit before sending it.

edited 9th Nov '17 12:12:22 PM by Herbert40k

Psyche immediately ports to Lucius's side. ~...~

-the door is almost immediately opened-

PEFE!Every: You called, sir?

D glares daggers at her.

"Take...a seat."

He pulls out the file again.

PEF Every can hear the cracking of knuckles to her left. Kane is standing there all intimidating like.

-she does-

PEFE!Every: Is there a problem, sir?

Lanakila Pokemon Center

-It should be known that Kaito has unique notification tones for all of their closest friends.-

-So when Kaito gets a text from Lucius for the first time in forever, their eyes go wide, and they quickly check.-

-And then their heart drops.-

He places two sheets of paper in front of her.

"This is the file I gave you yesterday...."

"And this is the file I gave you the first day I assigned you this task...."

PEFE Island

Lucius nearly jumps out of his skin upon Psyche's sudden appearance.

Lucius: GAH! Arceus, don't do that. Dealing with Maul is bad enough already...

He looks back down at his phone.

edited 9th Nov '17 12:28:08 PM by Herbert40k

Mobius Airship

PEFE!Every: -rolls her eyes- I was wondering why it felt so familiar. Why are you having me copy over data? Surely you don't expect me to remember every word I transcribe. ...Sir.

AU Agate Forest

Archer: -to Soujin- Phew, that was close... Why was that Salazzle so protective though?

Lanakila Center

"And you chose not to inform me of this clerical error because...?"

Mobius Airship

PEFE!Every: I'm a secretary, not a copy editor. You asked me to transcribe, not to fix the problems in your documentation. Sir.

~...Sorry, I thought my usual Dynamic Entry would be poor form for the situation.~ She sighs. ~Well the old man kicked the bucket. I'd say I sympathize, but even how shitty my old man was, this, uh, this is a different level.~

Mobius Airship, yesterday

Tatsuko: <Hello. Did you bring back anything dangerous from that facility?>

AU Agate Forest

Soujin: "Sounds like she's dealt with some crueler folks than us. And... I'm starting to feel like I might remember them. Er... Siphon or something?"

AU Orre

Archer: ...Cipher, of course!

-holds up the Vibrava's Pokeball-

That must be why this guy's a Shadow!

PEFE Island

Lucius sighs.

Lucius: ...No worries, I'm just a little on-edge right now. And no need to beat around the bush. You had just as many reasons to hate him as me, you can say he was shitty.

He glances down at his phone.

Lucius: Mt Lanakila... where on earth is that?

Bishop: <Alola, I believe.>

Lucius: ...Aren't we in Alola?

Bishop: <Technically, I believe we're in international waters right now.>

Lucius: Yeah, but that's always the case with PEFE.